God's Relentless Pursuit of Goodness and Redemption

Devotional

Day 1: God Works All Things Together for Good

No matter what circumstances you face, God is actively working behind the scenes to bring about good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Even when life feels chaotic or broken, you can trust that God is not absent or indifferent—He is present, redeeming your story in ways you may not yet see. Sometimes, the evidence of His handiwork is only visible when you look back and realize how He has woven even the painful or confusing moments into a greater plan for your good and His glory. [09:59]

Romans 8:28 (NIV)
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Reflection: What is one situation from your past or present that feels unresolved or painful? Can you ask God today to show you how He is working for your good, even if you can’t see it yet?

Day 2: God’s Goodness and Mercy Pursue You

God’s goodness and mercy are not passive; they actively pursue you, chasing after you like an army determined to overtake and bless you. Even when you feel like you are running from your past or weighed down by regret, God’s love and faithfulness are relentless, seeking to overwhelm you with His grace. You are never outside the reach of His goodness—He is both ahead of you, leading, and behind you, redeeming what’s been lost or broken. [13:04]

Psalm 23:6 (KJV)
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to let God’s goodness and mercy “catch up” to you? How can you open your heart today to receive His pursuing love?

Day 3: God Redeems Messy Stories

Throughout Scripture, God redeems the most broken and complicated stories—turning shame, loss, and failure into testimonies of His grace. Whether it’s Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, or Bathsheba, God is able to come behind the messiest situations and bring about His purposes, even weaving them into the lineage of Jesus. No matter how tangled your story may seem, God’s mercy is greater, and He delights in bringing beauty from ashes. [35:11]

Matthew 1:3, 5-6 (NIV)
Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar,
Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab,
Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth,
Obed the father of Jesse,
and Jesse the father of King David.
David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah’s wife.

Reflection: Is there a part of your story you feel is too messy for God to use? What would it look like to trust Him to redeem and repurpose even that today?

Day 4: God Is Aware, He Cares, and He Shows Up

God is not distant or unaware of your struggles; He sees, He cares deeply, and He shows up in the most unexpected places and times. Whether in prisons, deserts, storms, or moments of deep loss, God’s presence is real and available. When you turn to Him, He draws near, bringing comfort, hope, and sometimes the very breakthrough you need. Even Jesus, in His darkest hour, trusted the Father’s awareness and care. [26:50]

Psalm 139:1-5 (NIV)
O Lord, you have searched me and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue
you know it completely, O Lord.
You hem me in—behind and before;
you have laid your hand upon me.

Reflection: Where do you most need to experience God’s presence today? Take a moment to invite Him into that specific place or situation.

Day 5: Faithfulness in Uncertainty Opens the Door for God’s Blessing

When life is uncertain or disappointing, it can be tempting to pull back from God, but remaining faithful—showing up, serving, and trusting Him—positions you to receive His unexpected blessings. Ruth’s story shows that even in the midst of loss and confusion, daily faithfulness can lead to divine appointments and provision. Don’t give up or withdraw when things are hard; instead, press in and trust that God is still working, even when you can’t see the outcome. [27:49]

Galatians 6:9 (ESV)
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

Reflection: What is one small act of faithfulness you can commit to today, even if you don’t see immediate results? How might God use your perseverance to bring about blessing in your life or someone else’s?

Sermon Summary

God’s goodness and mercy are not just abstract ideas, but living realities that pursue us relentlessly, even in the messiest and most broken places of our lives. From the promises of Romans 8:28 and Psalm 23:6, it’s clear that God is not only ahead of us, leading and guiding, but also behind us, redeeming and restoring what’s been lost or broken. Life is full of moments where we wonder how God could possibly bring good out of our pain, our failures, or the consequences of others’ choices. Yet, the story of Ruth—and the stories of Tamar, Rahab, and Bathsheba—show that God’s redemptive work is not limited by our circumstances or our past.

The Hebrew word “radaf,” used in Psalm 23, paints a vivid picture: God’s goodness and mercy don’t just follow us passively; they chase us down like an army in pursuit. Even when we feel abandoned or bitter, as Naomi did, God is quietly orchestrating events behind the scenes, weaving together a story that is far greater than we can imagine. The book of Ruth is a testament to this: Ruth’s faithfulness in the face of loss, Naomi’s journey from bitterness to hope, and Boaz’s role as a kinsman-redeemer all point to a God who specializes in bringing beauty from ashes.

The genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1 is a powerful reminder that God’s grace is not reserved for the perfect or the privileged. Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba—all women with complicated, even scandalous, stories—are named in the lineage of Christ. This is not accidental. God wants us to see that no situation is too messy for His mercy, no past too broken for His goodness to redeem. He comes behind us, not to judge or condemn, but to restore, to heal, and to fulfill His purposes in ways we could never script ourselves.

So, whether you’re facing a situation that seems irredeemable, or carrying wounds from the past, remember: God is both before you and behind you. He is working all things together for your good and His glory. Don’t run from Him—run to Him. Trust that His goodness and mercy are actively pursuing you, ready to transform even the darkest chapters of your story.

Key Takeaways

1. God’s Goodness and Mercy Actively Pursue Us The Hebrew word “radaf” in Psalm 23 means to chase or pursue with intent, not just to follow. God’s goodness and mercy are not passive; they are actively seeking to overtake and overwhelm us, even when we are unaware or undeserving. This pursuit is relentless, and it means that no matter what is behind us—failures, regrets, or pain—God is coming after us with restoration and love. [13:04]
2. God Redeems the Messiest Stories The stories of Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba are not sanitized tales of perfect people, but raw accounts of brokenness, scandal, and loss. Yet, God weaves these very stories into the lineage of Jesus, showing that He is not limited by our mess or our mistakes. His redemptive power is most clearly seen when He brings hope and purpose out of situations that seem beyond repair. [35:11]
3. Faithfulness in the Ordinary Opens Doors for God’s Extraordinary Ruth’s daily faithfulness—showing up to glean in the fields, caring for Naomi, and trusting God in the mundane—became the very avenue through which God brought about redemption. When life feels routine or disappointing, continuing to be faithful in small things positions us for God’s unexpected blessings and breakthroughs. Our “just so happened” moments are often God’s providence in disguise. [27:49]
4. Bitterness and Blame Can Blind Us to God’s Work Naomi’s journey from bitterness (“Call me Mara”) to hope is a warning and an encouragement. When we blame God for our pain, we risk missing the ways He is already at work behind the scenes. Healing begins when we allow God to address the hidden rifts in our hearts and trust that He is still good, even when life is hard. [23:02]
5. God’s Redemption Is Not a License for Carelessness, but an Invitation to Trust The fact that God can redeem any situation is not permission to live recklessly or ignore the consequences of sin. Rather, it is an invitation to run to Him with our brokenness, trusting that He can bring good even from what others or we have meant for harm. His goodness and mercy are reasons to surrender more fully, not to take His grace for granted. [36:40]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:52] - Honoring God’s Word and Setting the Stage
[05:10] - The 202 Freeway Story: Mercy in the Everyday
[06:54] - The Cardinals’ Super Bowl and What’s Behind Us
[08:50] - God Works Behind the Scenes
[09:59] - God Causes All Things to Work Together
[10:32] - God Goes Before and Comes Behind
[12:05] - Goodness and Mercy Pursue Us
[13:04] - The Military Pursuit of God’s Mercy
[14:11] - When We Need God to Fix the Past
[17:28] - Tamar: Messy Stories in God’s Plan
[18:53] - Rahab and the Scarlet Thread
[20:33] - David, Bathsheba, and Redemption
[21:47] - Ruth’s Loyalty and Naomi’s Bitterness
[23:02] - The Hidden Rift with God
[23:43] - Ruth Meets Boaz: God’s Providence
[25:24] - God’s Kindness in the Details
[26:50] - God Shows Up in Our Stories
[27:49] - Faithfulness in the Ordinary
[31:54] - The Rest of the Story: Ruth’s Redemption
[33:38] - The Genealogy of Grace
[35:11] - God’s Redemption Through Brokenness
[36:40] - Responding to God’s Goodness and Mercy

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Romans 8:28 — And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

- Psalm 23:6
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

- Ruth 1:19-22; Ruth 4:13-17
(Consider reading these sections to see Naomi’s journey from bitterness to hope and Ruth’s redemption.)

Observation Questions

In Psalm 23:6, what does the word “follow” (or “pursue”) actually mean in the original Hebrew, and how does that change the way we picture God’s goodness and mercy?
According to Romans 8:28, what is the promise God gives to those who love Him, and how does the sermon clarify who is actually at work in our circumstances?
In the story of Ruth, what are some of the “ordinary” things Ruth does that end up being significant in God’s plan?
What are the backgrounds of the four women—Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba—mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus, and why is it surprising that they are included?

Interpretation Questions

The sermon describes God’s goodness and mercy as “chasing us down like an army in pursuit.” What does this say about God’s character and His attitude toward our failures and pain?
Naomi’s story moves from bitterness to hope. What does her journey teach us about how bitterness and blame can affect our ability to see God at work in our lives?
The inclusion of Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba in Jesus’ genealogy is not accidental. What does this reveal about the kind of people God chooses to use in His redemptive plan?
The sermon warns that God’s ability to redeem any situation is not a license to live carelessly. How should this truth shape our response to God’s grace and mercy?

Application Questions

The Hebrew word “radaf” means God’s goodness and mercy are actively pursuing us, not just passively following. Can you think of a time when you realized God was “chasing you down” with His goodness or mercy, even when you didn’t deserve it? What did that look like?
Naomi’s bitterness blinded her to God’s work behind the scenes. Are there areas in your life where pain or disappointment has made it hard for you to see God’s hand? What would it look like to invite God to heal those “hidden rifts”?
Ruth’s faithfulness in the ordinary—showing up, working, caring for Naomi—opened the door for God’s extraordinary plan. What is one “ordinary” area of your life where you can choose to be faithful this week, even if it feels unnoticed or unimportant?
The stories of Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba show that God is not limited by our mess or our past. Is there a part of your story that feels “too messy” for God to redeem? How does their inclusion in Jesus’ family line encourage you?
The sermon says God is both ahead of us and behind us, working all things for our good. Is there a situation from your past that you need to trust God to “come behind” and redeem? What would it look like to surrender that to Him?
The fact that God can redeem any situation is not permission to live recklessly. Are there areas where you’ve been tempted to take God’s grace for granted? How can you respond differently, out of gratitude and trust?
The sermon encourages us not to run from God, but to run to Him. What is one practical step you can take this week to run toward God’s goodness and mercy, rather than away from Him?

Sermon Clips

We know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. That is known to be one of the best promises in the word of God. We know that in all things, God is working. That is at the heart of everything we're going to talk about. [00:02:27]

God's mercy and love go together. When I discovered this years ago, I found in the Old Testament that 75 times you will read something about the goodness of God, and right there, it'll mention the mercies of God. I began to kind of contemplate that, realizing I don't know if God is good because he's merciful. I don't know if he's merciful or if God is merciful because he's so good. But all I know is this, God is good and his mercy endures forever. [00:03:48]

How many know sometimes it's more important what happens behind you than what happens ahead of you? It's really interesting. That's what I want to talk to you about this morning because it's true spirits as well. Do you ever look back on your life? And I can't at my age now. Oh my goodness. I've gone through some dark seasons in my life. I look back and I'm like, God, I can't believe the way you work that out. [00:08:57]

Whatever you're going through today, what I want you to leave here with is your hope renewed that God is redeeming you and your life in whatever situations you may face. Some of you have things that go back. I mean...years or decades, can I just tell you all things work together for good? [00:10:15]

He also comes behind us. In other words, as we look at this, just for chronology sake, but I think it's bigger than that, that we begin to realize some of those things that God is working out. It's not always right now, and it's not always ahead of us. Although he goes before us, it's also so many times he's coming behind you and he's working all things together for good. [00:10:47]

Surely, goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life. The picture there, that word, NLT says, pursue me. The message Bible, chase after me. I was at a very dark season of my life about eight, nine years ago. I mean, it was a rough couple of years. And I'm so grateful I can stand here today and say the word of God has gotten me through and it will do it for you. [00:12:12]

David says God's goodness and his mercy are chasing you like an army pursues an army. Well, that's a whole other picture, isn't it? Let me read it to you. This is what Dr. Wade Nunley said to me. He wrote me an email and said, hey, Jeff, this is how I translate it. Only God's basic attribute of being a good God and also his loyalty to his covenant, his mercy and love, will aggressively pursue me with the ultimate goal of overtaking me and completely overwhelming me all the days of my life. [00:13:19]

Because whatever happened yesterday, I know this. God's coming behind my yesterday with his goodness and with his mercy. [00:13:59]

Do any of you have anything in your life right now that you need God to come behind you and fix? I do right now. My wife and I are carrying a heavy burden right now and oh God, I don't know how he's gonna but I believe he's gonna fix it. [00:14:44]

That's why we shouldn't judge. Because every one of us here need the mercies of God. Every one of us here. And in that moment. Now, I'd ask you today, how do you come behind this story? I mean, that's a really messy, messy story. [00:18:10]

How many of you know when we go through things, many times our very countenance will reveal that we've gone through a lot of loss, a lot of brokenness. But here's what she did, and this is pretty common. She says, ladies, call me Mara. Mara means bitter. Because the Lord Almighty has made my life very bitter. I went away full, but the Lord has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? The Lord has afflicted me. The Almighty has brought misfortune on me. me. Do you hear it? [00:22:30]

When things are going well, we know he's watching. When things start going south, we begin to question God. We get frustrated with God. It's really preposterous, isn't it? Because he's the same God. He never changes, the Bible says. [00:26:35]

If anything, we not only see a God who is aware and a God who cares, we see a God who shows up. He showed up in prisons. He showed up in fiery furnaces. He showed up in dusty cisterns. He showed up in places of captivity. He showed up in captivity. He showed up in captivity. He showed up in bloody battles. He showed up in lion's dens. He showed up in dry deserts. He showed up in lonely caves. He showed up on stormy seas. He showed up at gravesides. Our God is aware and he cares and he shows up for us. [00:26:51]

All I can say today is wherever you are at, I don't care who you are today. If you will turn to God, I promise you, he will show up. His word says you draw near to him. He will draw near to you. It just works that way. It may take some time. I went through about a two -year period, but boy, did I ever come out and emerge out of that two years and realize God was aware. He cared. Praise God. He showed up. He shows up. [00:28:18]

When things aren't going the way you want them to go, don't pull back. Press in. You're going to eat. even more keep being faithful go to God's house read his word how easy it is for us to say the Lord has not made things go so well for me so I'm gonna pull away from the Lord no what did Ruth do she showed up every day for work had she stayed home had her and Naomi said we just we quit this whole thing we're gonna give up on that God that'll be my God and those people that'll be my people I'm gonna give up on it listen if they would have done nothing nothing would have happened but instead it just so happened she found a field and it just so happened that guy noticed her and it just so happened then that he said you can glean the rest of the Harvey the barley harvest it just so happened see it didn't just so happen God works all things together for good but she was faithful the story is amazing Ruth kept working Boaz just kept blessing and Naomi started believing. [00:29:08]

When you question things, trust that God is still working something to your good and this unfolds the story in an amazing way and we'll be done in just a moment. [00:30:50]

So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife, and then he went to her, and the Lord enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son. The women said to Naomi, praise be to the Lord, who this day has not left you without a kinsman redeemer. There's that term. May he become famous throughout Israel. He will renew your life, and sustain you in your old age, for your daughter -in -law, who loves you, and who is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth. [00:31:59]

Who's Perez? Perez was a twin. He was born to a woman who dressed up like a prostitute on the side of the road and slept with her father -in -law. She gave birth and God said, I got a plan out of this. Don't say that was God's will. No, there's no way. But God comes behind our choices and He works things out because He's God. He's an amazing, He is good and His mercy endures forever. Hallelujah. [00:34:11]

Only God can do something like that. That's crazy. And then Ruth. Ruth's from Moab. And she becomes the grandmother of David. Isn't that amazing? Yes, she'd be the great -grandmother. The other would be the great -great. She'd be the great -grandmother. of david then later we come to solomon i never have understood this you know david had like seven or eight wives guys i don't recommend that i don't recommend that at all especially in this part of the valley but let's move on okay quickly let's leave that alone but you know david had a bunch of wives and i've never understood it because he he sinned with bathsheba and that baby died and it's a sad story it's just so messy and uriah her husband was put out and he died david murdered her husband uriah but isn't it amazing that later on when god said okay david we're going to build the temple we're going to move israel forward and we're going to keep this lineage going all the way to the messiah to jesus christ he chose bathsheba all i can say is the lord is good and his mercy it endures forever. [00:35:11]

Why did matthew do this he didn't want us to forget how good god is and how merciful he is he didn't want us to forget that he can come behind situations in a crazy fashion and say i can take that from my perfect will and my plan god works all things together for the good of those that love him and are called according to his purpose. [00:37:34]

So if you're here today and you say jeff you don't know my mess listen i may not but god does and he's a good god he's a big god today and he can come behind you. [00:37:56]

Why don't we agree with isaiah the lord will go before you and he'll come behind me why don't we agree with paul we know all things work together why don't you agree with david in psalm 139 that you hem me in behind and before why don't we just go ahead and agree with scripture that god's ahead of you he's with you and he's coming behind you. [00:38:09]

No matter how dark it is it may not be your choice it may be the choice of someone that impacted your life listen god is able to come behind you and just clean up the mess and use it for your good and his purpose today. [00:38:39]

So i would say it this way don't play with god how about you run to him as we say earlier you just give your all to him and say god work out my life it's a mess but i believe you're good and you're full of mercy amen [00:38:55]

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